Tucson Sunshine and Saguaros Spring 2019

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
This very popular fixed-base ride will be offered again in 2019 beginning on Saturday, March 2 with a welcome gathering/social/map meeting at 5 p.m. and wraps up on the morning of Saturday, March 9 after breakfast. This schedule will allow for 6 days of riding. The trip is designed as an escape South to get a jump on some sunny and warm Spring riding days! The group will enjoy the wonderful Homewood Suites Hotel located in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Tucson is an extraordinary cycling city with a Gold rating from the League of American Bicyclists and regularly noted as a top riding destination by numerous cycling magazines and media outlets. We offer a total of 20 routes/maps with most starting directly from the hotel, but also include 4 choices with optional remote starts. These routes will include some of Tucson's greatest hits: Catalina State Park, Saguaro National Park West and the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park East with the 8-mile scenic loop, Mount Lemmon (options include to the top elevation OR to any distance/elevation you want to climb), Agua Caliente Park and Sabino Canyon Park. Maps for rides of all levels – from easy to very difficult are offered. There will be two featured rides each day - one more difficult and one less so. At the happy hour the day before, participants will be able to discuss ride choices, start times, and other details. Although the focus of the tour is the longer daily proposed ride, all rides are optional and participants are welcome to choose whichever courses they want to cycle and at their own speed and pacing.

RIDE RATING
Although this ride is rated 2B, there are many routes ranging from 1A to 4D.  Riders will be provided with cue sheets (to print and bring with you) and .gpx tracks. Since this is a fixed base ride, you are free to choose any of the rides that suit you, from easy and flat on mostly bike trails to pretty difficult, including the famous Mt. Lemmon ride which can be up to 70+ miles with 7000 ft. of climbing.  The routes include a substantial amount of cycling on city streets with bike lanes and moderate traffic. Some may be rough/chip seal. Safety will be stressed. Note, we will also be using many miles of bike paths that are very easy to navigate, smooth and clean of debris. Tucson is a cycling city and drivers are generally aware and polite.  On the Mt. Lemmon day, water and snacks will be provided part way up the road in case you decide you need to get your Spring climbing in and choose a longer distance. The routes to Saguaro East and West Parks are each ~50 miles with ~2000 ft. of climbing. Two of the routes include 1/4 mile sections with grades of 10%. For those riders who would like a day off the bike, there are several good museums and other attractions in Tucson. The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is one of the best in the world for desert environment and is often visited as a part of the Saguaro West ride.  There is also the Pima County Air and Space Museum which has an excellent selection of vintage and historic aircraft. Additionally, there are various optional opportunities for hiking.

WEATHER
Weather is usually very nice in early March in Tucson.   Expect daytime temperatures in the 70's and 80's and nighttime temperatures in the low 50’s. At this time of year, there is usually low humidity and dry conditions but rain is a possibility and it can be windy.

LODGING AND MEALS
Lodging will be at the Homewood Suites in St. Philips Plaza in Tucson. The hotel was completely refurbished in 2015 and is quite nice.  All rooms are large, have a small kitchen and are in a suite configuration. There is plenty of space to store your bike in your room. Free parking is available at the hotel. The ride is planned for seven nights of lodging and the hotel has a dinner buffet Monday - Thursday evenings. We will also enjoy two off-site group dinners at area restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Please contact the ride leader to discuss any specific strict food requirements before requesting to join the tour. Because of the large size of our group, we are limited in our dinner entrees. Seasonal fruits and vegetables along with an assortment of snacks and refreshments will available at the daily socials. Arrangements can be made to come early or stay later at our group rate at the hotel.  

LOGISTICS
Arizona Stagecoach van service is available between the Tucson airport and the hotel. If you prefer to not bring your own bike, rentals can be obtained from several bike shops and at least one will deliver to the hotel, Tucson Bike. Arrangements for rental bikes are strictly between the member and the bike rental business. No eBikes allowed on tour. There are several good restaurants within walking distance, from pizza and Mexican to steaks and seafood, if you decide not to participate in the hotel buffet.  Although a car is not necessary for the ride, you may decide to rent one if you wish to start rides remotely outside of town and/or if you want to venture out and visit some of the various attractions in Tucson. 

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost of this bike tour is $1185 plus the $50 BAC registration fee.  This cost includes 7 nights lodging, 2 group dinners plus 4 buffet dinners at the hotel, 7 breakfasts, excellent cycling specific maps, cue sheets and gpx tracks along with 7 social hours with snacks and beverages. The deposit is $700 and final payment of $485 is due no later than December 1, 2018.  Any riders that register after December 1, 2018 will need to pay the full tour amount. 

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until August 30, 2018 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $680 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by sharing information about singles who request to apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by August 30, 2018. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193. Please note, solo rooms may be limited due to hotel availability. 

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and credit card payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his/her GPS device before the trip begins.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  After you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $700 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.